Merab Dvalishvili has been nearly unstoppable in the UFC bantamweight division, winning 14 straight fights and defending his title three times, most recently against Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320. “The Machine” showcased relentless pressure, superior wrestling, and exceptional cage control, making him extremely difficult to challenge.
O’Malley’s Perspective on Dvalishvili
He said, “He’s very confident right now in his stand-up, and he can be because his opponent is gonna back up and nothing really happens.”
O’Malley explained that opponents often retreat, giving Dvalishvili space to control the fight, and when someone trades, Dvalishvili usually lands clean shots or attempts takedowns. O’Malley stressed that taking advantage of the openings in Dvalishvili’s striking is crucial to beating him.
He added, “To beat Merab, you just gotta land that shot. You have to be able to f–king snipe him. And he’s getting a little more reckless.”
Reflecting on Dvalishvili’s past bouts, O’Malley mentioned moments when he was nearly finished, such as Marlon Moraes in 2021 or Henry Cejudo in 2024. Umar Nurmagomedov also won the first two rounds before losing the last three. According to O’Malley, a precise strike or knockout is the only reliable way to dethrone the champion, who continues to dominate the top contenders.
He continued, “I don’t see anyone else being able to beat him. I do think I’m the only — I hate to say it, I hate to f–king say it! I’m the only one who can beat him! Give me that shot at the White House! But I gotta go out there against someone, I gotta go get some wins.”
👀Sean O’Malley says the only way to beat Merab is to one-punch him
“To beat Merab you just have to land that shot. You have to be able to f*cking snipe him.
He’s getting more reckless. The more confident he gets into striking, the more gaps he leaves open to be caught.”
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) October 7, 2025
O’Malley insisted that he is the only fighter capable of defeating Dvalishvili, emphasizing that a knockout is necessary to take the title. He stressed that other contenders are unlikely to succeed, given Dvalishvili’s streak and recent performances, including his UFC 320 win over Sandhagen.
Only a handful of fighters in UFC history have reached 14 consecutive wins. Islam Makhachev and Kamaru Usman both reached 15. Anderson Silva still holds the all-time record at 16. With a few more defenses, Dvalishvili could surpass Silva’s record, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest bantamweights in UFC history.
